A shear-thickening electrolyte solution includes a polar solvent; an electrolyte dissolved in said polar solvent; and ceramic filler dispersed in said polar solvent, said ceramic filler having an aspect ratio, length to width, of greater than 1:1 and being functionalized to provide terminal end groups that interact with the polar solvent to form a solvation layer around said ceramic filler and support the suspension of said ceramic filler in said polar solvent.